How to add social media icons to your email signature and email footer

More than 5.66 billion social media subscriber identities exist worldwide today, roughly two-thirds of the global population. The scale of this number is striking not only because of its size but also because far more people use social media than those who don’t.

The conclusion is simple: omitting social media icons for email signature and footers means missing an easy opportunity to connect with your audience, especially since most of your recipients are already active on social platforms. All you need to do is make it easy for every person you email to find you.

Email signatures and footers themselves can also impact engagement. According to data from Crossware365:

• email signatures can increase response rates by up to 22%;
• companies using branded email signatures see an average website CTR of 15%, compared to just 3% for those without.

These numbers alone are often enough to justify setting up a proper email signature. You can create a signature in minutes using the Stripo email signature generator if you don’t already have one, though this may be hard to believe.

If you already use an email signature, keep reading to learn how to add social media icons to it, how to choose the right social media channels, and which best practices help make your signature more effective.

(Source: Stripo template)

Key takeaways

1. Adding social media icons to emails is a simple and almost cost-free way to promote your brand. These small elements help drive additional traffic to your social channels, attract new followers, and give recipients more ways to interact with your business.
2. Stripo offers several ways to add social media icons to your email signature or footer. You can fill in your personal profile, use saved modules, create a signature with the email signature generator, apply ready-made signature or footer templates, or add links manually.
3. Choose social media channels strategically. Based on your business goals, products, and audience, select 3–5 social networks that are most relevant to your brand, and include their icons in your signature.
4. Follow best practices when adding social media icons to an email signature. Limit the number of icons, use high-quality visuals, place them correctly within the signature, and always include both alt text and working links for accessibility and usability.

How to add social media icons to an email footer with Stripo

There are several ways to add social media icons to your email footer in the Stripo editor. Depending on your workflow, you can automate the process, reuse saved modules, or insert social icons manually.

Filling out your personal profile with Stripo

The first option is to add your social media links to your personal profile. Once you’ve done this, Stripo can automatically pull this information into the emails you create.

If you work with multiple projects, keep in mind that each project can have its own set of social media links. This is especially useful when different brands or teams require different footer content.

How to fill out your personal profile with Stripo:

1. Log in to your Stripo account and click the icon with your name in the top-right corner.
2. Select “Show Profile.”
   
   
3. Open “Workplace,” then go to “Projects & Groups.”
4. Go to the “Projects” tab.
5. Click the three dots next to the project you want to edit and open the “Settings” menu.
   
   
6. Go to the “Social Networks” section.
7. Select the social network you want to add from the drop-down list: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or other icons.
8. Paste the correct link.
9. Click the “Plus” icon to add more social network links.
   
   

The step of adding social media icons to your personal profile is now complete. From now on, every time you drag the “Social Networks” block into your email, you won’t need to enter these links manually. The block will be added to your footer with prefilled icons and links to your social media profiles.

Using modules

Another convenient way to add social media icons is to save them as a module and reuse them as needed.

When designing an email, simply add the “Social Networks” block, enter your social media links, and customize the icon settings: style, size, order, and alignment.

Once everything is configured, save the block as a module. You can then reuse it in future campaigns.

Over time, you can build your own module library with ready-to-use elements, such as headers, footers, email signatures, and other reusable components. All saved modules are stored in the “Modules” section of your account.

Saved modules help streamline email production and significantly reduce the time needed to create campaigns.

A module preserves the entire structure of the section, including backgrounds, images, text, and fonts. Once saved, it will appear exactly as designed each time you add it to a new email. Adding a module will only take a few minutes.

Stripo also allows you to synchronize modules. When this option is enabled, any changes made to a module in one email automatically update all other emails that use the same module.

For example, if your brand launches a new social media channel, you can add the new icon and link in a single footer module, then click “Synchronize.” The update will apply instantly to every email that uses this module.

Using footer templates

At Stripo, we’ve also simplified email creation by offering ready-made footer templates that you can use as is or customize to fit your company. There’s no need for coding or extra effort; simply choose a template you like, add your company’s social media links, and your email is ready to send.

Adding social media icons manually

If the previous methods don’t fit your workflow, you can manually add social media icons to the footer.

Simply insert the “Social Networks” block into each email and configure it individually. This approach works well if different campaigns require different social media links or layouts.

How to add social icons to an email signature with Stripo

In the past, before email signature generators became widely available, and when many email clients didn’t fully support them, you had to create a separate signature for each email service you used for business or personal communication, such as Gmail, Outlook, or Apple Mail.

Back then, adding social media icons to an email signature required several manual steps. You had to search for free social media icons online or download them from official websites, save the files to your computer, and then upload them to your signature using the “Insert Picture” button. Today, the process is much easier. Just a few steps and success!

Using an email signature generator

If you don’t yet have an email signature, the Stripo email signature generator is the easiest way to create one.

It is a simple builder where you can upload a profile photo and a brand logo, add links to your social media profiles, and enter essential information and contact details:

• name;
• job title;
• company name;
• phone number;
• email address;
• website.

You can also choose a ready-made template and customize it by adjusting colors, social icon styles, and fonts. In just a few steps, you’ll get a professional email signature that includes all the social media links you need to promote your company or personal expertise.

If you prefer more control, you can export your email signature as HTML code and embed it directly into your email client.

Adding social media links to emails

Another option is to add social media icons directly while building an email.

To do this, select the “Social Networks” block in the left-side editor panel and drag it into your email layout.

Stripo offers a wide range of icon styles to match your brand identity. You can choose from:

• colored, gray, or black icons;
• round or square shapes;
• icons inside circular or square frames;
• transparent or filled backgrounds.

There are plenty of styling options, so you can easily match the icons to your email design.

When configuring the block, you can also select which social platforms to include in your signature section: Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, or other icons. Stripo provides 70+ social network and messenger icons, giving you flexibility to highlight the channels most relevant to your followers.

Now that the technical work is done, you can start designing the social media icons for an email signature: select the shape and color, set the size for all icons, set the spacing between them, and the desktop alignment.

Best practices for adding social media icons to an email signature

If you want your email signature to be memorable and recognizable, add social media icons thoughtfully. Below are practical tips to help you design a clean, effective signature, or take inspiration from these best practices:

• Limit the number of social media icons

Avoid overcrowding your signature section with too many social icons. Based on experience, 3–5 icons usually work best. This keeps the signature visually balanced and prevents the footer section from becoming overloaded.

(Source: Stripo template)

For example, the number of icons below is a little too many. Although they look minimalist and neatly arranged in the footer, too many hyperlinks in a signature or footer may increase the risk of triggering spam filters.

(Source: Stripo template)

Another design option is to replace individual social media icons with a single CTA-style button, such as “Follow us” or “Connect with us.” This approach keeps the footer minimal while still directing readers to your social platforms.

(Source: Email Love)

• Link only to active social profiles 

Always ensure the link behind each icon points to an active, relevant profile. If a platform isn’t part of your regular communication strategy, it’s better to leave it out. For example, if your company posts on X (Twitter) once a month or less, including that icon may not add much value to your signature. Focus on the channels through which your customers can actually engage with you.

(Source: Email Love)

• Optimize icons for mobile devices 

A significant share of recipients open emails on smartphones. For this reason, social icons should be mobile-friendly and easy to tap. It is recommended to use sizes between 24 and 32 px. Icons that are too small can be difficult to tap on touchscreens, which can reduce engagement.

(Source: Stripo template)

It is also possible to use a footer design with no separate icons; instead, long buttons are labeled with social media profiles.

(Source: Email Love)

• Make sure every icon is clickable 

One common mistake is inserting social icons as images without linking them to their corresponding sites.

Always ensure that every icon includes a working hyperlink to your company’s social network page. Before sending a campaign, double-check that all links function properly.

(Source: Stripo template)

• Customize icons to match your brand 

Social icons should visually align with your brand identity. Consider adjusting:

• icon size;
• shape (round or square);
• style (outline, filled, monochrome, or colored).

For the best visual quality and dark mode compatibility, use high-resolution PNG or SVG files.

(Source: Email Love)

• Add alt text for accessibility 

Alt text on social media icons improves accessibility for recipients using screen readers and ensures that their readers can still understand the icon’s purpose if images are blocked by the email client. Alt text can be written like this: “Follow us on LinkedIn” or “Visit our Facebook page.”

(Source: Stripo template)

• Encourage engagement with the “share your opinion” option 

Small cues can encourage email recipients to share their impressions, which requires them to visit your social channels.

(Source: Stripo template)

This is another simple way to guide recipients’ attention and add context next to your social media icons.

(Source: Email Love)

• Place icons in the right position 

Social icons should be easy to find but should not interrupt the main contact details. Avoid placing them in the middle of your signature, for example, between your phone number and email address, where they may go unnoticed. The best positions are below the contact information or at the bottom of the signature block. Note that each icon should be carefully placed on a separate line to maintain proper formatting.

This layout keeps the signature structured and ensures the icons remain visible without distracting from the essential message.

(Source: Stripo template)

What are social media icons in email signatures, and why do they matter?

Social media icons are small buttons placed in an email signature or footer that lead recipients to your brand’s social profiles.

You can choose the platforms that are most relevant to your business and include those icons in your signature. When a recipient clicks an icon, they are redirected to your social media page, where they can interact with your brand in different ways, such as: liking posts on Instagram, watching videos on YouTube, reading insights on LinkedIn, viewing short tutorials on TikTok, or saving inspiration boards on Pinterest.

Each of these actions creates another touchpoint between your brand and your audience, helping you build familiarity and long-term relationships beyond the inbox.

Another advantage is that you only need to add social icons once when setting up your email signature. After that, they automatically appear in every email you send unless you decide to update them.

Why do brands add social media icons to an email signature?

Companies include social icons in their signatures for several practical reasons:

• passive brand promotion in every email interaction;
• driving traffic and generating leads from email conversations;
• building long-term relationships and trust with customers;
• encouraging recipients to follow your brand on social media;
• growing your customer base.

Social media icons are a fairly subtle, unobtrusive marketing tool that is not only about direct sales, which often annoys people in emails, but also allows recipients to learn more about the company.

Through social channels, people can see how your brand communicates, in a way that isn’t as “official” as email. This can work better than ads or direct marketing.

Which social media icons for email signatures should you include?

The social media icons you add to your email signature should align with your business goals and communication strategy. Not every platform needs to be represented; only those that support your marketing objectives and where your audience is active.

The most commonly used social platforms in email signatures include LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), and YouTube. This is an understandable choice because most people are well aware of these social networks, including the icons that lead to them and the types of content they can expect in each.

Another important factor when choosing social media icons is the type of business you run and the people you target. B2B companies typically focus on platforms such as LinkedIn and YouTube. These channels are well-suited for networking, sharing industry expertise, and publishing educational or product-related video content.

B2C brands, on the other hand, often prioritize visually oriented, entertainment-driven channels. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest are commonly used because they work well for reaching large consumer audiences and promoting products.

So what social media icons should you use in your signature?

Add the LinkedIn icon if your business focuses on:

• professional networking;
• B2B communication;
• recruitment and employer image.

(Source: Email Love)

Instagram works best for companies with strong visual storytelling. It is particularly effective for:

• food and hospitality organizations;
• fashion and beauty brands;
• lifestyle companies;
• creators and influencers.

(Source: Email Love)

TikTok is worth including if your organization actively produces short-form video content or focuses on entertainment-driven communication. It is especially relevant for:

• creative industries;
• designers and marketers.

(Source: Email Love)

YouTube is ideal if your company invests in long-form video content, such as:

• tutorials and product walkthroughs;
• webinars or educational content;
• behind-the-scenes videos and company culture.

(Source: Email Love)

Facebook is still widely used for:

• community building;
• customer support interactions;
• general brand awareness and announcements.

For many companies, it remains a key channel for maintaining an online community.

(Source: Stripo template)

Pinterest works best for organizations that rely heavily on visual discovery and product inspiration. It is particularly useful for:

• eCommerce businesses;
• design and home decor brands;
• fashion and lifestyle companies.

(Source: Email Love)

X (Twitter) is ideal for thought leadership, industry news, and quick updates. It works well for companies that regularly share:

• news and commentary;
• product updates;
• real-time insights related to their industry.

(Source: Stripo template)

Choosing the right platforms ensures your email signature directs recipients to the channels through which they can most meaningfully engage with your brand.

Should social media icons link to business accounts or employee accounts?

This is another question that often arises when creating an email signature. In most cases, social media icons link to company profiles, since email communication should support you overall business goals.

However, there are situations in which linking to employee accounts is also beneficial. For example, a recruiter should be accessible on platforms where potential candidates are active and ready to respond.

This template shows how you can combine both the employee’s social networks and the company’s channels, which are placed slightly lower and are more relevant to a general audience.

(Source: Stripo template)

A good alternative is to combine both approaches: include employee social media links in the signature, and place company icons in the footer.

(Source: Stripo template)

Wrapping up

Adding social media icons to your emails is not complicated, and it is highly beneficial for your business. It helps attract new followers, encourages recipients to explore how you communicate on less formal channels, and increases trust and loyalty toward your product.

All the methods we offer at Stripo will save you time and help turn your email signature and footer into a memorable touchpoint that your customers won’t forget.